The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-12-28
A GREAT BLIZZARD.


Sweeps over Kansas and strikes
down settlers on the Prar'es.
WtcafrA. RAs Dec 24.-Ad.liIienal and
final details OF the resaits Of the recent biz
zari were received to-day. which pisrs il as
the worst ever known ia the Stale TIE
number If deaths By fiszzing and starvation
i.now believed 70 be at least sixty. Few
eastern r,side.Ir, OF the state really thought
srch an alarming state of affairs existed, and
they are nov mosi liberaily responding 70
calls for aid.
J. Paekney. Mayer Of Ashland. Clark
county, reached This city tits morning, and
from him tie story Of the storm IN that
county was learned He said When the
blizzard struck the western settlers las; Mon
day. they were in many instances entirely
our Of frel SUNDAY was mild and pleas
ant day. and no one seemed prepared for the
fearful storm that followed sl,cut 40 O'Clock
on Monday snow began falling which
soon grew into a blizzard The wind came
from the North and the snow soon became
binding. Ii was almost impossible for any
one to travel in the storm.
FROZEN TO DEATH oS THE PRAIRIE.
Two men named John Henry and John
corter, en- route % Texas. left Ashland an
hour before the storm began. Their bodies
were found the mex, day on the prairie, five
miles west OF town. frozen stiff. The team
which they had with them was found fully
~ miles south The animals had driited
with the wind, becoming exhausted, sank
into the snow and died
As soon as the storm ceased. resouing par-
ties left Ashland A sod house was The first
entered. and piiifuI sight met The gaze of
the rescuers. The entire family Of five nam
Ell Kanous, were found frozen stiff Some
were sitting bolt upright on stools, while the
mother ofihe family lay dead in bed. No
fuel could be found about the place. The
rescuing party gathered the bodies Together
and brought them TO Ashland. where they
were buried. Bruce G. Freddy, rear estate
agent Of Ashland. who had been Gu; in the
country looking for claim. was found dead
about half mile from the limits OF the
town. He had started home before the
storm overlook him, bur lost his way and
persisted"
When mayor Packney lefi his home yes
teriay no other bodies had been recovered.
bnt the town had been turned into hospital
for those who had not been fatally frozen
A great number had limbs frozen, which in
several cases. necessitated amputation
FoRcED TO LEAVE THEIR ooMRABE.
A gentleman from Greeley county gives
even more startling account Three men
left Horace county intending to 90 to laims
a short distance from town They wander
ed around ali night. and finally oneofthem, a
Mr. Gibbs. sank exhausted in the srow
His companions could not induce him to
continue the tramp in search Of shelter. and
were finally compelled 10 leave him. His
body was found the next day. The other
Two men kept OF and finally reached a dug
out where they gained shelter Both had
their arms feet aud ears frozen and cannot
live.
The same gentleman tells a distressing
story Of the death of an emigraut. together
with his wife and child They went TO
ranch just before the blizzard became serious
aud asked to be taken in and sheltered The
ranchman refused 60 receive them and after
wandering on for some distance the blizzard
became 80 severe that the horses became un-
manageable and turned the wagon over,
throwing GU, the mother and child The
babe soon succumbed and then the mother
did. The father and husband covered the
bodies with the wagon box aud started out
to find shelter for himself His hallooing
finally attracted settlers and the emigrani
was taken in aud warmed, but it was too
late Both feet were frozen and. before
could be summoned he died
A widowed mother her l6-year-old soa
and younger daughter, living in Comanche
county, are dead, bat their names cannot be
learned. The son was sent out by his mo.h-
er in search of fuel After waiting for some
time for his return the mother and daughter
attempted TO go TO the house Of their nearest
neghbor. All three los; their way in the
binding snow and persisted.
Three deaths are reported from Ford conn
ty, twelve from Mead county and five from
Stevens county bar it is impossible TO learn
the names, as no direct communication is
possible with those counties. Private dis
patches fAbm Lane, Scott and Wichita conn-
ties give equally horrible details Mrs.